4.3 ice?

[nick_vw]

So I have had this boat since december, long story but the owner passed away unexpectedly and I was able to get it at a very good price. its a 92 doral 21 foot with a 5 year old trailer, 4.3. The son-in-law who sold it to me said it was winterized at a marina, and had receipts and such to show it was done a few months prior..i thought, great! so i bought it.

this winter has been relentless around the great lakes, today was the first day i was able to get a good look. Worryingly, I found there to be ice in the lower water pump and hose, and the lower manifold hoses. Upper hoses are all dry, and the lower hoses have a bit of slushy ice. Im not sure what the winterization process was, but I would have hoped no ice would be present. I wont be able to run this thing for weeks because of the persistent cold nights.
:facepalm:
what should I be looking for when I start it up?? external leaks or overheating?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 ice?

So I have had this boat since december, long story but the owner passed away unexpectedly and I was able to get it at a very good price. its a 92 doral 21 foot with a 5 year old trailer, 4.3. The son-in-law who sold it to me said it was winterized at a marina, and had receipts and such to show it was done a few months prior..i thought, great! so i bought it.

this winter has been relentless around the great lakes, today was the first day i was able to get a good look. Worryingly, I found there to be ice in the lower water pump and hose, and the lower manifold hoses. Upper hoses are all dry, and the lower hoses have a bit of slushy ice. Im not sure what the winterization process was, but I would have hoped no ice would be present. I wont be able to run this thing for weeks because of the persistent cold nights.
:facepalm:
what should I be looking for when I start it up?? external leaks or overheating?

Ayuh,.... Guess it weren't the Air just Don't Freeze method,.....

Do You know where the drains are, 'n how to Drain yer motor,..??
I'd start there, til the Ice is Gone,...

When ya do start it, yer lookin' at Everything, it's a New to you boat,....

If anythings Cracked,...
It'll show itself, either outside the block, or in the oil level,...

 

[nick_vw]

Re: 4.3 ice?

I prefer the dry method...but around here everyone seems to be stuck on the "suck antifreeze up through the muffs" method. I dont see any antifreeze in this motor, just ice in the lower hoses. Its not solid ice, and all the upper hoses/thermos stat are dry so I'm thinking it was drained, just not completely. If a block was going to crack, this winter would be the one to do it. below freezing for 3 months!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 4.3 ice?

Up the muff might as well be up your $%%. the worst way to try and winterize a motor. You flush and fog, then open all the drain points, make sure someting comes put and then decide if you want air or anfi-freeze. If A/F simply pour it into all the hoses and your done.

 

[nick_vw]

Re: 4.3 ice?

well...found a crack. May have already been there, not sure. This is on the right side (starboard), both manifolds appear to be crack free, and the port side of the block, while greasy, doesn't appear to have any cracks. I hope it's just an external crack. I am going to go at it with epoxy, i have read some success stories on here.

 

[nick_vw]

Re: 4.3 ice?

Oh, and If I were to be looking at a new motor, I have read on here that the 4.3 block from a Chevy will work? Can I just bolt all my manifolds/starter/alternator on to an automotive 4.3, or should I be looking for a mercruiser based engine?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 ice?

Oh, and If I were to be looking at a new motor, I have read on here that the 4.3 block from a Chevy will work? Can I just bolt all my manifolds/starter/alternator on to an automotive 4.3, or should I be looking for a mercruiser based engine?

Ayuh,... Mercruiser blocks, Are Chevy blocks,...

With the 4.3l, Vintage is the most important consideration,...
The 4.3l has had Alota different changes over the years,...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 4.3 ice?

I would see if the marina would honor their "winterization" since they charged the PO for it.

 

[nick_vw]

Re: 4.3 ice?

I would see if the marina would honor their "winterization" since they charged the PO for it.

I am going to look into that, because by the looks of things there is just water in this motor, no antifreeze...cant tell how much or if its still frozen, boat is sitting in the sun and its ~53 degrees today. Maybe I can get a motor out of them, but even if I do, I might not want to jump the gun and do the work to swap it out right away if my motor can last a few seasons.

I am going through all these forums reading about the epoxy fix, and it seems like this may work for me. Given that the oil doesn't become milk when I start it up.

Lots of people suggesting to drill a hole into each end of the crack...my thinking is...if it cracked from freezing, then unless it freezes up again the crack will not spread, as its not under any stress. Make sense?

 

[harleyman1975]

Re: 4.3 ice?

Yea...Don't do that. if the block is cracked in one place it is cracked in others. I would start looking for a new block/engine. It isn't like you can get out and walk back.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 ice?

I am going to look into that, because by the looks of things there is just water in this motor, no antifreeze...cant tell how much or if its still frozen, boat is sitting in the sun and its ~53 degrees today. Maybe I can get a motor out of them, but even if I do, I might not want to jump the gun and do the work to swap it out right away if my motor can last a few seasons.

I am going through all these forums reading about the epoxy fix, and it seems like this may work for me. Given that the oil doesn't become milk when I start it up.

Lots of people suggesting to drill a hole into each end of the crack...my thinking is...if it cracked from freezing, then unless it freezes up again the crack will not spread, as its not under any stress. Make sense?

Ayuh,.... If it ain't dumpin' water into the oil,... Go for it,....

Pull the manifold, starter, 'n everything else in the way, so you can sand/ grind/ clean the block, 'n slather it up with epoxy,...

 

[nick_vw]

Re: 4.3 ice?

Yea...Don't do that. if the block is cracked in one place it is cracked in others. I would start looking for a new block/engine. It isn't like you can get out and walk back.

true, but I will know if its cracked internally after running it for a while, checking the oil. External leaks are...just that...a nuisance, but not fatal to the engine. Hopefully I can get it going next weekend, and then I will see. I dont even know if the crack i found even leaks, may have been there for years... Might be able to claim the cost of a new motor from marina, maybe not..I will peruse it though.

 

[nick_vw]

Re: 4.3 ice?

Ayuh,.... If it ain't dumpin' water into the oil,... Go for it,....

Pull the manifold, starter, 'n everything else in the way, so you can sand/ grind/ clean the block, 'n slather it up with epoxy,...

Looks like the only things in the way of this crack is the dipstick and the small support bracket for the starter...the crack stops at the bolt for that support bracket, which is good, I think.

How does one go about removing a dipstick? does it pull out?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 ice?

Looks like the only things in the way of this crack is the dipstick and the small support bracket for the starter...the crack stops at the bolt for that support bracket, which is good, I think.

How does one go about removing a dipstick? does it pull out?

Ayuh,... Donno which ya got, usually there a little bolt, 'n bracket somewhere along it's length,...

After that, ya, pull it out, it's a light press/ friction fit,....

Pull the manifold, 'n starter to get a power tool in there, 'n CLEAN the area,....

I'd be grabbin' my 4, 1/2" grinder, 'n a cup-brush wire wheel,...

 

[thumpar]

Re: 4.3 ice?

If you epoxy it up you could probably get through at least a season while looking for a new block. Astro/Safari vans, the full size V6 GM trucks and some Blazer/S10's have the 4.3l. They are all over. Look for a wrecked one at a junk yard. Wreck usually means it is not there because of engine problems. Swap over to brass core plugs and install it over winter.

 

[nick_vw]

Re: 4.3 ice?

If you epoxy it up you could probably get through at least a season while looking for a new block. Astro/Safari vans, the full size V6 GM trucks and some Blazer/S10's have the 4.3l. They are all over. Look for a wrecked one at a junk yard. Wreck usually means it is not there because of engine problems. Swap over to brass core plugs and install it over winter.

I think that's the plan, but it'll be on my mind for another week at least before I can see if any internal cracks are evident. By the looks of it, this is not a new crack...clearly rusty almost as if it sealed itself up with rust. Talking with an old friend today who works as a marine mechanic in the summer, he said it happens all the time, and he has seen countless v6's with epoxy up the side of the block over the years...here is to hoping I don't have a v6 powered smoothie machine:lol:

 

[thompson80]

Re: 4.3 ice?

If you think you have any chance of having the yard that did the winterizing provide you with a replacement block, I'd approach them first before you start futzing with it. Take it to them NOW and let them see the water in it. Once you start grinding away on it to epoxy the crack, you will own the problem for sure.

 

[ricohman]

Re: 4.3 ice?

You got nothing to lose patching the block. I'd try that 1st.
But like Bondo said the 4.3 has had many changes through the years.
Who knows, maybe you get lucky or maybe you need another engine. But if someone paid for winterization I would be speaking to whoever did it.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 4.3 ice?

I would see if the marina would honor their "winterization" since they charged the PO for it.

+1 for sure, I'd walk in and see if they will fix it.. if not, know any attorney friends? a letter from att to them might losen their wallet..

 

[bspeth]

Re: 4.3 ice?

+1 Thomson 80,they aint doin anything unless they see it first.Get them to document it too.